There is a legal battle growing in importance daily, is about Qatar Airways versus Airbus due to paint problems A350. Photo Qatar
But we must have a general context to understand whaté Eastá last. First, Qatar Airways is not the única aerolínea that has presented these problems, there are others in the world, but only the tastingí has taken legal action.
Second, the European Security Agency Aérea – EASA has said públically there is no such risk, supporting Airbus and calming down the rest of Aerolíoperating lines of the A350, but it has not been enough for Qatar.
And third, Qatar Airways has a fleet of 53 A350 aircraft (19 versionón 1000 and 34 versionón 900), of which 21 remain on land, generating millionairesélosses for the airlineínea to concerns in painting.
The problems in the painting of the A350
Although the rest of the Aerolíneas have remained calm, despite observing the same problems of Qatar, These follow very closely the development of the giant legal battle that is taking place in London and that will haveíto his first hearing in April próximo.
Escalation of legal action and Airbus response, ledó to the airínea and present this video to the púwar in general that allows dimensioning the daysños in painting:
What Qatar Airways Says
In a press release published on its página web, along with the video above, the airíI don't indicateó the next:
The 20 of January of 2022, Qatar Airways, a través de los procedimientos legales contra Airbus en la división de Tecnología y Construcción del Tribunal Superior de Inglaterra, solicitó una audiencia acelerada de una cuestión preliminar para abordar nuestras serias y legítimas preocupaciones de seguridad con respecto a la condición de degradación de la superficie que afecta negativamente nuestra flota de Airbus A350, which has so far led to 21 Airbus A350 aircraft on the ground. As the video clearly shows, estos defectos no son superficiales y uno de los defectos hace que el sistema de protección contra rayos de la aeronave quede expuesto y dañado, another defect leaves the underlying composite structure exposed to moisture and ultraviolet light, y otros defectos incluyen grietas en el compuesto y daño alrededor de un alto porcentaje de remaches en el fuselaje del avión.
Seguimos creyendo firmemente que Airbus debe llevar a cabo una investigación exhaustiva de esta condición para establecer de manera concluyente su causa raíz completes in order to establish whether any solutionóno repairsón proposal to rectifyá la condición underlying and guaranteeá that there is no risk to the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
The priority no.únumber one thing for Qatar Airways remains the safety of its passengers and crew.ón. For this reason, all affected aircraft remain grounded and we are unable to accept delivery of más aircraft proposed by Airbus.
What Airbus Says
Instead, the European manufacturer has been máBe cautious with your press releases, finding for now only this statementóofficial:
Airbus receivedó a formal legal claim in the English courts brought by Qatar Airways, in relationón with the dispute over the degradationón surface and paint on some of Qatar Airways A350XWB aircraft. Airbus isá in the process of analyzing the content of the claimón. Airbus intendsón the defender andéergically his positionón.
But it's not all, even though púphysically his defense has been brief, after cámaras Airbus canceló unilaterally the request for 50 planes Airbus A321neo what Qatar Airways habíwas carried out prior to the current legal disputes.
This actionón brought additional response from Qatar:
I answered Airbusó seeking to cancel an entirely separate contract for the delivery of 50 A321 Neo aircraft. We confirm that we are in compliance with all of our obligations under all applicable contracts. Therefore, It is a cause of great regret and frustration.ón that Airbus has made the apparent decisionón to expand and escalate this dispute. We continue to urge Airbus to carry out anároot cause lysisíz satisfactory about the cause of the defects, as required. Qatar Airways remains prepared to assist with the anároot cause lysisíz as I can.
No doubt this conflict, opens the doors to other airlinesíto seek solutions to similar problems, where Qatar seeks compensationón of más de $600 millions of dólares for non-useón of his fleet.
Finally, to cancelón of óorders of A321neo open a door for Boeing, which you must undoubtedly be following tooén very closely the progress of these legal actions.
I will keep themé informed.
I think the paint will have a guarantee the same as the car
It should be like that, what happens is that Qatar wants economic compensation for the damages.
Let's see it as a user, buy a million plane, Well, I don't think you'll spend a million, so that after a few years the plane leaves you with this type of damage, What would you think of your car if it started to fall apart and the manufacturer replied that it is nothing serious?, the truth would bother you as a user and you would at least hope that the problem would be solved or they would give you a solution.
Totally agree.
As we aeronauts know, the frames of modern aircraft have the latest materials with aluminum and today, high strength alloy 7075, containing copper, magnesium and zinc, It is the most used in the aeronautical industry.. For that reason the AA planes and in Colombia Aerocondor was practically the natural plane with a faint paint, Well, it is more than weighing some 1000 kilos, leaves the rivets suffered and countersunk with the possibility of contamination and destruction of the total paint of the aircraft or fuselage. ALVARO SEQUERA DUARTE /PhD AEROSPACE
Thanks for the input.
Hello there
This A350 model I deduce that it must have technology similar to that of the Boeing 787, that is, it is built with composite materials
The 787 have presented this problem?
If not, Boeing technology I believe is superior to Airbus
The cancellation of the order of the A321 has its flats, I don't think Airbus deliberately opens the doors to Boeing
No, No paint problems have been reported on the 787 Let it know.
In the video I saw the enormous problems that the planes had, I think Airbus doesn't talk much because they know it's their fault but they don't know what to do, I think the evidence against them is strong no matter how much they try to defend themselves I think they owe Qatar what they ask for in addition to canceling a huge order that I don't know what sense that makes if the one that loses the most is Airbus since it was a million dollar order. Good post, thanks for the details.
Canceling the order is a clear sign of retaliation, without sense.
Reprisal ? It is Airbus who cancels the order, and the one who loses an important sale, rather it will be that he wants to get rid of a toxic client.
It can also be from your point of view like this, either way, this problem is far from over.
I think the same. in a statement, Airbus said Qatar had been a headache customer since its inception.